Abstract: The present application relates to a heatable system suitable for use in a patient contacting plate used in medical imaging. The system comprises a heatable laminated structure with a plurality of layers each of which is transparent to imaging radiation and allows for thermal transfer. A heater layer, located between two of the plurality of layers, comprises an electrically resistive material and is transparent to imaging radiation. The laminated structure further includes a conductive path suitable for use in coupling a voltage source to the electrically resistive material in the heatable laminated structure, whereby the laminated structure is heated when current is passing through the conductive path. Also disclosed is a compression plate system and an imaging medical device comprising the heatable system. Methods of making the heatable system and of using it in medical imaging are also disclosed.

Abstract: An inflatable product includes an inflatable chamber and a supplemental layer. The supplemental layer is disposed on the inflatable chamber. Further, the supplemental layer is directly or indirectly fixed to the inflatable chamber by sewing. The inflatable chamber is made of plastic. The material of the supplemental layer is different from that of the inflatable chamber.

Abstract: A creeper including a support member with a head portion and a body portion. A rectangular light housing may be attached to either side or to both sides of the creeper, and may be extended away from, and retracted to, the side or sides. First and/or second carriers may be reversibly attached to the rectangular light housing or the body of the creeper, and may be adapted and configured to hold parts, tools, and other objects of use when working on an apparatus. The creeper may include an electric aperture for connection to an external source of power, a rechargeable battery, and/or solar panels. The creeper may further include a grounded outlet and a USB port that receive power from the electric aperture, solar panels, and/or rechargeable battery.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to selectively create a heat transfer effect and sensation of cooling with fluid flow that is directed within bedding on a mattress or within the mattress or within a region between the bedding and the mattress. A programmable application is accessible on a wireless network and is programmed to provide appropriate settings to attain changes over time of the region. In response to receipt of signals indicative of fluid flow rate, temperature and duration settings, a heat transfer device carries out the heat transfer in accord with an initial one of the temperature settings for an initial one of the duration settings and then in accord with a subsequent one of the temperatures settings for a subsequent one of the duration settings. The subsequent one of the temperature settings constitutes a change in the temperature setting from the initial one of the temperature settings.

Abstract: A drying apparatus includes a body and a rotatable foot pad located on the lower part of the body to dry a user's feet. An air inlet is provided, and a flow generator to receive inlet air from the air inlet and generate an airflow to the top surface of the foot pad.

Abstract: A bed can include a mattress and a foot warming system. The mattress can include a mattress cover and a support structure that is positioned under and covered by the mattress cover. The foot warming system can include a heating unit an envelope, a power source, and an electrical connector electrically connecting the heating unit to the power source. The heating unit can be positioned inside the envelope between the envelope top and the envelope bottom. The heating unit and the envelope can be positioned at a foot of the bed under mattress cover between the support structure and the mattress cover.

Abstract: Disclosed is a toaster, including a box body, a feeding bin, a conveying device, a first heating device and a second heating device. One side of the box body is provided with a discharging port; the feeding bin is provided with a feeding port in communication with an inner cavity of the box body. The conveying device is arranged between the feeding port and the discharging port, and is configured to convey foodstuffs from the feeding port to the discharging port. The first heating device is configured to heat foodstuffs on the conveying device, and the second heating device is configured to preheat the foodstuffs within the feeding bin.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to selectively create a heat transfer effect and sensation of cooling within bedding on a mattress. A programmable application is accessible on a wireless network and is programmed to provide appropriate settings to attain changes over time of a space within bedding that pertain to at least one of heating the space and realizing a cooling sensation within the space. A wireless receiver is configured to receive commands in a wireless manner that are indicative of the appropriate settings provided by the programmable application to effect changes over time of the space within the bedding attributed to heat transfer with respect to the at least one of heating the space and realizing a cooling sensation within the space. The heat transfer occurs as a result of fluid flow either within a mattress or within space in bedding over the mattress.

Abstract: Bedding for a crib mattress includes a plurality of temperature sensitive sensors disposed therein and an on-board power source. The sensors are configured to be in wireless communication with a monitoring device. A visual indicator is disposed upon the bedding and in electrical communication with the power source. The visual indicator is activated when a pre-set temperature is sensed by any one of the sensors.

Abstract: An inflatable bed is provided, comprising: a first piece, a middle piece having a middle master piece and an oblique ring piece having an inner edge connected to the middle master piece, and a second piece; a first lateral piece connected to the first piece and to an outer edge of the oblique ring piece; and a second lateral piece connected to the middle piece and to the second piece. A first air chamber is defined by the first piece, the middle piece, and the first lateral piece. A second air chamber is defined by the middle piece, the second piece, and the second lateral piece.

Abstract: A medical device providing a combination of thermal and DVT therapies to a patient. The components, arrangement of components, function of the device as a whole, and methods of use of the device are all devised to maximize therapeutic effectiveness. Effectiveness in this context is measured by the ability to provide a controlled application of the recommended thermal treatment including time, temperature, compression, and number of cycles with specified cycle duration.

Abstract: An SPA bathtub and an operating unit therefor are provided. The operating unit includes a gas supply system including an electric gas valve, at least one gas path connecting pipe and an electric gas pump that can be in fluid communication with the SPA bathtub through them. The electric gas valve includes a valve housing defining at least one inner cavity. The valve housing is provided with a gas inlet configured to communicate with the electric gas pump, and at least one gas outlet each provided therein with a moving piston and configured to communicate with corresponding gas path connecting pipe. Each inner cavity is in fluid communication with corresponding gas path connecting pipe via one gas outlet. The electric gas pump cooperates with the electric gas valve such that: when the electric gas pump operates/stops operating, the moving piston is located in a communication position/an off position.

Abstract: A thermal block assembly for use in a biological analysis system includes a sample block, a heating and cooling element, a heat sink including a surface, the surface including a plurality of projections for engaging the heating and cooling element to hold the heating and cooling element on the heat sink. A thermal block assembly for use in a biological analysis system includes a heating and cooling element, a sample block including a lower surface configured to be thermally coupled to the heating and cooling element, one or more temperature sensors configured to extend through the one or more slots of the lower surface of the sample block, and one or more thermal pads between the one or more temperature sensors and heating and cooling element.

Abstract: An electric heating pad for warming a patient includes a heated underbody support or heated mattress. The heated underbody support or mattress includes a heater assembly having a flexible sheet-like heating element, conductive bus bars attached at or near side edges of the heating element, and fabric side edge extensions attached to heating element side edges. The heated underbody support or mattress also includes a layer of polymeric foam positioned under the heater assembly and a shell, including at least two sheets of flexible material, covering at least a portion of the heater assembly and the layer of polymeric foam. When the heater assembly is wrapped around the top surface of the layer of polymeric foam, side edges of the heating element extend partially down the two side walls of the layer of polymeric foam and the conductive bus bars lie adjacent those two side walls.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat portion having a heating element, such as an electrically conductive wire. A sensing structure having a characteristic that is responsive to a temperature of the heating element is provided adjacent to the heating element, such as by being helically wrapped thereabout or extending parallel thereto. For example, the sensing structure may include an optical fiber, and the characteristic of the sensing structure may be an amount of light transmitted through the optical fiber. A controller is responsive to the characteristic of the sensing structure for determining when the temperature of the heating element exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A ventilated seat assembly with active air circulation including a structural frame element, a cushion assembly supported by the structural frame element, a perforated dress cover, a conduit network embedded in the cushion assembly configured to direct air to at least one target region of the cushion assembly, an air mover coupled in fluid communication with the conduit network, and a controller operable for activating the air mover to cause air to flow through the conduit network to the at least one target region. In operation, the controller activates the air mover to flow air, such as unconditioned air, through the conduit network to be released through the dress cover in the at least one target region.

Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heating zones surrounding at least a portion of the core structure, each heating zone having conductive circuitry to define a heater and a capacitive sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the conductive circuitry in each heating zone to operate as the capacitive sensor to sense a presence of the user's hand in at least one heating zone and to switch to operate as the heater to heat the at least one heating zone when the hand is sensed in the at least one heating zone.

Abstract: A flexible electric heating device includes a planar flexible carrier foil, at least two electrically conductive bus lines attached to a surface of the carrier foil, and at least one electric heating member, including first and second electrically conductive electrodes, electrically connected to one of the bus lines. Each electrode has at least one curved edge, wherein the curved edges are located at a distance and are facing each other. The heating member further includes a resistive heater layer, at least partially overlapping the curved edges of the electrodes to form a resistive connecting region. The curved edges are arranged such that locations of the resistive connecting region are facing the first electrode or the second electrode in directions parallel to at least three mutually orthogonal directions that lie in the carrier foil, wherein one of the orthogonal directions is aligned parallel to an edge of the carrier foil.

Abstract: A pet vestibule configured for being attached to a door and to either swing open with the door or to be removably installed so the vestibule can be released from the interior side of the door before the door is opened, and the door can swing freely. The vestibule can then be rolled out of the doorway. The vestibule provides a protected shelter area for pets and animals to come and go into a structure without the need for human assistance, while also inhibiting rain, snow, and other inclement weather from entering the structure through the pet door.

Abstract: A seat and cooling system for the seat include a porous seat surface, an air spacer disposed on a side of the seat surface that defines an air channel, a substantially air impermeable barrier having an opening therein in communication with the air channel and a blower configured to draw air through the seat surface and from the air channel. Air drawn from around an occupant on the seat surface draws moisture from the occupant, causing moisture to evaporate, to provide a cooling sensation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrically conductive film (10) having an electrically nonconductive substrate layer (12), and an electrically conductive metal layer (14) that has a structure produced by material removal and that on a first side is joined, at least in sections, to the substrate layer (12).

Abstract: A seat heater mounted to a seat includes: a heating wire; a base material provided with the heating wire and having air permeability; an excessive temperature rise prevention element that prevents an excessive temperature rise of the heating wire; and an auxiliary heating wire that heats the excessive temperature rise prevention element, in which air permeability in an auxiliary heater area provided with the auxiliary heating wire is lower than air permeability in a heater area provided with the heating wire, so that heat dissipation in the auxiliary heater area is suppressed to enable a temperature of the excessive temperature rise prevention element to rise efficiently to follow the temperature rise of the heater area.

Abstract: An advanced toilet/bidet with a remote pod that stores both the majority of the bidet hardware and an advanced software program, providing a toilet seat that is thinner and lighter than a traditional toilet/bidet combination. The toilet seat has a bidet nozzle, and an internal cavity in which additional hardware and software is stored. The toilet seat has sensors the record health-related data on each user and has a unique cleaning mechanism to ensure the highest sanitary standards.

Abstract: A radiant heat foot warming device including a top planar surface configured to emanate radiant heat therefrom to warm feet of a user; a bottom planar surface spaced apart from the top planar surface; a plurality of curved sidewalls positioned between and connected to the top planar surface and the bottom planar surface; and an adjustable temperature control member positioned on the top planar surface that displays device temperature and further adjustably controls device temperature to regulate radiant heat emanating from the top planar surface.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight, insulated, and heated storage device is provided. The heated storage device is movable between a closed condition adapted to maintain stored items therein at a predetermined temperature and an open condition for externally radiating heat. In one embodiment, the heated storage device may be a heating sack adapted to unfurl from the closed condition storing a sleeping bag or the like to the open condition as a flat, heated blanket, externally radiating heat.

Abstract: Systems may include a heater including a plurality of heating elements that may include a first heating element configured to generate heat based on a first current, and a second heating element configured to generate heat based on a second current. Systems may further include an electromagnetic (EM) radiation reducing device configured to cancel electromagnetic emissions from the heater. The EM radiation reducing device may include a first EM radiation reduction element positioned adjacent to a first side of the heater, and a second EM radiation reduction element positioned adjacent to a second side of the heater, where the first and second EM radiation reduction elements have geometries configured based, at least in part, on the heater.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer structure, comprising: a first heater layer comprising a CNT heater, wherein the CNT heater comprises a composite of carbon nanotubes and silicone; and a second heater layer comprising a PTC heater, wherein the PTC heater comprises a composite of carbon black and polymer; wherein the first heater layer and the second heater layer are first and second respectively in an electrical series; wherein the first heater layer has a negative temperature coefficient with respect to electrical resistivity; and wherein the second heater layer has a positive temperature coefficient with respect to electrical resistivity. Also disclosed is an aircraft component comprising the multilayer structure.

Abstract: A back panel of a motor vehicle seat element successively includes a layer of paint, a layer of non-expanded foam, at least one thermal device, and a layer of expanded foam.

Abstract: A method of autonomously providing thermal comfort to an occupant in contact with a component includes the step of determining a heat flux between the component and the occupant. A heat flux inversion is determined using the heat flux. The heat flux inversion corresponds to a change in occupant thermal comfort. A thermal conditioning device is controlled based upon the heat flux inversion to maintain a desired heat flux.

Abstract: A breast support platform for an x-ray imaging system includes a housing having a compression plate and a front wall, and a heating system disposed at least partially within the housing. The heating system is configured to heat at least a portion of the compression plate, at least a portion of the front wall, or at least a portion of the compression plate and the front wall. In an example, the heating system includes a transparent conducting film coupled to an inner surface of the housing. In another example, the heating system includes a blower disposed at least partially within the housing, and the blower is configured to channel hot air across an inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A fusion powder coating useful in forming a coating by fusion of the powder comprising a solar active or a photovoltaic pigment in combination with a resin including a conductive resin and a device for generating electric energy from solar or photo illumination comprising an electrode, a first powder coated layer of an absorptive pigment and a resin, a second powder coated layer of the aforementioned solar active powder, and a protective layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing device for washing human private parts includes a nozzle configured to jet water toward the human private parts, and a protective electronic circuit configured to prohibit operation of at least part of the sanitary washing device when a component of the sanitary washing device fails. The protective electronic circuit includes a failure diagnosis part configured to diagnose a failure of a component of the protective electronic circuit. At least part of the operation related to the jetting in the sanitary washing device is prohibited when a failure of the component of the sanitary washing device is sensed by diagnosis using the failure diagnosis part.

Abstract: The present invention is a composite material which can transfer heat very fast, for many applications such as car seat, wheelchair, stroller, apparel, medical care and therapeutic heating items. The present invention is a heating element to produce heat by applying a power supply, the heating element comprises of an interconnected mesh of a conductive filament deposits by a 3D printer on a non-woven fabric filler which acts as a thermal bed on the 3D printer to form a first layer, wherein the interconnected mesh of a conductive filament comprises of a combination of a plurality of parallel or series conductors with a plurality of connection nodes, and a double-sided adhesive lining to connect the first layer to a covering layer.

Abstract: There is provided a bed device comprising: a support plate; a spring mattress provided on the support plate; a mat provided on the spring mattress; and a hot-air supply device for supplying hot air into the spring mattress, wherein the hot-air supply device is received in the spring mattress, wherein the hot-air supply device includes: a hot-air generation unit for generating hot-air; a hot-air discharge tube protruding from the hot-air generation unit by a predetermined length to discharge the hot-air generated in the hot-air generation unit into the spring mattress; and two hot-air guide members symmetrically disposed about the hot-air discharge tube, wherein the two air guide members are configured to guide the hot-air such that the hot air discharged from the hot-air discharge tube is distributed uniformly over an entire area of the spring mattress.

Abstract: The present invention provides a steering wheel and a heater unit used for the steering wheel that does not give discomfort to a user when operating the steering wheel. A heater unit 31 is comprised of a substrate 10 made of a polymeric foam; and a cord-shaped heater 1 arranged on the substrate 10, wherein a thickness of the substrate 10 is thinner at a portion on which the cord-shaped heater 1 is arranged than other area so that the portion is formed along a shape of the cord-shaped heater 1 and the heater unit 31 is approximately flat. A steering wheel, comprised of the above described heater unit; a wheel core material; and a covering material, wherein the heater unit is arranged between the wheel core material and the covering material.

Abstract: An electrical body stimulator cushion device, use thereof and a medical or therapeutic device which includes a body stimulator cushion device made from a layer of pliable material, an electrical body stimulator having a plurality of interconnected electrical conductors, a top and a bottom isolating layer between which the electrical conductors are located, and an infrared reflector foil, located between the layer of pliable material and the electrical body stimulator. When the electrical body stimulator cushion device is connected to a grounded power supply, the plurality of electrical conductors of the electrical body stimulator are arranged to emit infrared radiation towards a user body, generate a magnetic field, and provide a current pathway for directing a body stimulating current from the plurality of electrical conductors via the body to ground.

Abstract: A seating system includes a seat, individually selectable and controllable thermal units individually positioned at respective locations within the seat corresponding to anatomical locations of a person sitting in the seat, and a controller. The thermal units to generate heat when activated. The controller to individually activate a subset of the thermal units to deliver heat to the anatomical locations of the person sitting in the seat corresponding to the respective locations within the seat of the activated thermal units.

Abstract: A bedding climate control apparatus that delivers, in a quiet manner, forced airflow from a fan/blower within a housing to selectively deliver tempered (heated via a thermal element) and untempered (room temperature) air through a flexible hose to bedding. The quiet manner is attained with acoustic dampening material in the path of incoming airflow to the fan/blower and by oversizing each of the components that create a pressure drop including the capacity of the fan/blower over what is needed to deliver a required amount of airflow. Temperature may be set remotely via a wireless remote control and via a protocol access enabled device.

Abstract: Furniture with a heated seat consists of a fixed furniture frame having a seating surface to accommodate one or more cushions. One or more removable cushions are positioned on the seating surface. Each removable cushion includes a foam body. An electric heating pad is supported by the foam body. A cushion cover is provided that overlies the foam body. An umbilical power cord is electrically coupled to the heating pad. The umbilical power cord extends from the foam body through an opening in the cushion cover and connects with an electrical connector of a power transformer module on the furniture frame. Power is supplied by the power transformer module to the heating pad when the activation switch of the power transformer module is in the “on” position.

Abstract: A conformal seat insert for an adjustable vehicle seat, the conformal seat insert comprising an insert frame, the insert frame having one or more insert reference features for locating the insert frame on a seat frame of the vehicle seat in a predetermined position relative to the seat frame, and a contoured support surface formed in the insert frame, the contoured support surface having a crew reference point corresponding to an acromial point of a shoulder of a seat occupant of the adjustable vehicle seat, the crew reference point being a datum from which an eye position of the seat occupant is established relative to instrumentation of an aerospace vehicle in which the adjustable vehicle seat is located.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion assembly includes a first foam pad defining a ventilating column disposed therethrough, a topper pad disposed over the first foam pad, and a second foam pad disposed adjacent the first foam pad. The second foam pad and the first foam pad define a flow channel in fluid communication with the ventilating column. A thermally conductive tape includes a thermoelectric device disposed between the first foam pad and the topper pad. The thermoelectric device is disposed near an end of the ventilating column. An air mover moves air from an air intake of the flow channel to an air exhaust of the flow channel.

Abstract: A head restraint for a motor vehicle has devices such as a fan and a heating element such that heated air can flow out of a front side of the head restraint if necessary. The head restraint enables heating of a head by way of outflowing heated air. A passage opening is formed in the cushion body of the head restraint, which passage opening extends from a back side of the cushion body to a front side of the cushion body. A cavity is formed in the passage opening at a distance from the back side and at a distance from the front side of the cushion body, in which cavity at least one fan is arranged. An air-permeable, electrically operated heating mat is provided on the back side of the cushion body in order to heat the suctioned air, and the pre-heated air is additionally heated by an air-permeable, electrically operated heating mat located on the front side of the cushion body.

Abstract: A method includes: establishing a dynamic target temperature range for a seat of a vehicle having a seat heating unit installed therein, the dynamic target temperature range defined by an adjustable minimum and maximum target temperature; activating a seat heating mode of multiple predefined seat heating modes based on an interior climate of the vehicle; defining the minimum target temperature and the maximum target temperature according to the activated seat heating mode; and controlling the seat heating unit such that a temperature of the seat continuously oscillates within the defined minimum target temperature and the defined maximum target temperature.

Abstract: A static electricity discharging pet bed has a foam-like cushion pad, an inner cover fabricated of waterproof, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-urine material. An outer cover encompasses the inner cover. The outer cover is fabricated of an electrical conductive material designed to conduct static electricity from the pet bed through an electrical conductive conductor, to an electrical conductive ground wire, and then to a ground only plug connected to a grounded electrical outlet. The result is that when a dog or like furry pet is positioned on the pet bed, static electricity affecting the animal is drained to electrical ground. In this same manner, an “Earthing” effect provides a number of healthful benefits to the pet as well.

Abstract: A cover material, in particular a seat cover material, having an upper side and a lower side and at least one seam that runs over at least a part of the cover material and that is visible on the upper side. An electrically conductive element that generates an electric field is arranged on the lower side in the region where the seam runs.

Abstract: Provided is technology suitable for public environments, such as sites serving transportation networks such as bus shelters and train stations, parks, public venues, stadiums, arenas, interior or exterior environment. The technology described herein provides a heated sitting surface. Moreover the present technology allows the production of new heated sitting surfaces.

Abstract: The disclosed technology relate to a device and system that include an outdoor power equipment power unit or cart configured to releasably couple a number of different interchangeable attachments or work implements to a common power unit, where some attachments include and/or require operator presence control, while other attachments do not include and/or require operator presence control. The outdoor power equipment power unit includes a power transfer coupling member operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to transfer rotational power to the associated attachment; and an operator presence actuation member operatively coupled to the operator presence control member, the operator presence actuation member configured to rotate in response to user actuation of the operator presence control member.

Abstract: A capacitive occupancy or proximity detector includes a heating circuit, an impedance measurement circuit connected to the heating element, and a diagnostic circuit configured for determining integrity of the heater element. The heating circuit includes a heating element, a heating current source and a common mode choke having a first and a second winding, the heating element being connectable to the heating current source via the first and second windings. The diagnostic circuit includes at least one controllable switching element coupled across the second winding, circuitry for injecting a DC current into a series connection formed by the first winding the heating element and a parallel connection of the second winding and the at least one controllable switching element, and at least one detection circuit for detecting a voltage variation across the second winding.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing device includes an antenna electrode for emitting an alternating electric field in response to an alternating voltage caused in the antenna electrode and a control and evaluation circuit configured to maintain the alternating voltage equal to an alternating reference voltage by injecting a current into the antenna electrode and to measure the current. The control and evaluation circuit includes a microcontroller with a digital output for providing a digital signal and a low-pass filter operatively connected to the digital output for generating the alternating reference voltage by low-pass-filtering the digital signal.

Abstract: One variation of a method for fabricating a garment includes: applying a first mask to a first side of a fabric substrate coated with a conductive material; applying a second mask—mirrored image of the first mask—to a second side of the fabric substrate opposite the first side; applying an etchant to the fabric substrate to remove conductive material outside of the first mask; arranging a conductive interface pad of a component carrier over an electrode defined by remaining conductive material on the fabric substrate, the component carrier including a flexible substrate and a rigid electrical component mounted to the flexible substrate, the conductive interface pad extending from a terminal of the rigid electrical component across a region of the flexible substrate; mechanically fastening the component carrier to the fabric substrate to form a garment insert including an electrical circuit; and incorporating the garment insert into the garment.